“The average American woman weighs 25% more than the models selling the clothes," Nimoy wrote. "There is a huge industry built up around selling women ways to get their bodies closer to the fantasy ideal."

"Pills, diets, surgery, workout programs," he added. "The message is, 'You don't look right. If you buy our product, you can get there.'"

Nimoy was bothered by the knowledge that many women felt at least some shame for their figures, author Natalie Angier, who wrote The Full Body Project's introduction, told Mashable.

"It really disturbed him that women who considered themselves overweight had this terrible feeling about themselves," she said. "He wanted to show the world that there's beauty to be found in different body types."

"I admire the way he presented the women as standing there looking the viewer full in the face," she said. "Saying look at me — I'm entitled to stand here and present myself to the world. I don't have to be ashamed and cower in the corner."